Premiers will work together to stop federal government from imposing an oppressive tax on the people of their provinces

SAINT ANDREWS, NEW BRUNSWICK – Ontario Premier Doug Ford and Saskatchewan Premier Scott Moe released a joint statement today about their discussions at the summer meeting of the Council of the Federation:

“We agreed today to join forces and use every single tool at our disposal to challenge the federal government’s authority to arbitrarily impose a carbon tax on the people of Ontario and Saskatchewan.

Carbon taxes make life unaffordable for families, and put thousands of jobs at risk. This type of taxation does nothing for the environment and hits people in the wallet in order to fund big government initiatives.

We agreed that, in a time of economic uncertainty, we need to put more money back in the pockets of families and businesses. A climate change strategy is critical, but a carbon tax would increase the price of virtually every product and service people need on a daily basis.

We will do everything in our power, including going to court, to prevent the federal government from imposing this punishing tax on hard-working people. That is why Ontario will be supporting Saskatchewan and intervening in the reference case Saskatchewan has launched with its Court of Appeal. Ontario and Saskatchewan agree that the federal government should not be able to impose a carbon tax on provinces. The federation needs to work more collaboratively.

We look forward to continuing to work together, and with our fellow premiers, to create good jobs and drive economic growth across the country.” - 30 -